Surgical access devices with anvil introduction and specimen retrieval structures

ABSTRACT

Surgical access devices are disclosed. In various forms, the access devices form at least one passageway through which various surgical instruments and tools may be admitted into the body cavity. Various embodiments may be configured to support an anvil for a circular stapling device therein. Various forms employ a flexible bag for retrieval of specimen from the body cavity.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional patent application claims the benefit of andpriority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/452,432,filed Mar. 14, 2011, entitled “Surgical Stapling Instruments”, theentire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to surgical devices forproviding access into a body cavity, and more particularly, to surgicalaccess ports capable of facilitating the introduction of a circularstapler anvil into the body cavity and/or retrieving a specimen from thebody cavity.

BACKGROUND

Abdominal laparoscopic surgery gained popularity in the late 1980's,when benefits of laparoscopic removal of the gallbladder overtraditional (open) operation became evident. Reduced postoperativerecovery time, markedly decreased post-operative pain and woundinfection, and improved cosmetic outcome are well established benefitsof laparoscopic surgery, derived mainly from the ability of laparoscopicsurgeons to perform an operation utilizing smaller incisions of the bodycavity wall.

Laparoscopic procedures generally involve insufflation of the abdominalcavity with CO2 gas to a pressure of around 15 min Hg. The abdominalwall is pierced and a 5-10 mm in diameter straight tubular cannula ortrocar sleeve is then inserted into the abdominal cavity. A laparoscopictelescope connected to an operating room monitor is used to visualizethe operative field, and is placed through the trocar sleeve.Laparoscopic instruments (graspers, dissectors, scissors, retractors,etc.) are placed through two or more additional trocar sleeves for themanipulations by the surgeon and surgical assistant(s).

Various types of access ports have been developed over the years forproviding access passages into the body cavity through which surgicalinstruments may be inserted. For example, U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/242,765, filed Sep. 30, 2008, U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. US 2010/0081880 A1, entitled “Surgical Access Device”, U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/399,625, filed Mar. 6, 2009, U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. US 2010/0228091, entitled “Methods andDevices For Providing Access Into a Body Cavity”, and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/712,269, filed Feb. 25, 2010, U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. US 2010/0249526 A1, entitled “Access DeviceWith Insert” all disclose a variety of different access ports, devicesand methods and are each herein incorporated by reference in theirrespective entireties.

Circular staplers are useful for performing a variety of differentsurgical procedures using both open and laparoscopic methods. Whenemploying such instruments, the surgeon often must detach the anvilportion from the stapling device in order to properly orient the anvilrelative to the tissues to be cut and stapled. When a surgeon isperforming the operation laparoscopically, access ports of the typesdescribed above may be used. However, the introduction and manipulationof the circular stapler anvil can prove to be challenging from time totime depending upon the procedures to be completed.

In general, a conventional circular stapler typically consists of anelongated shaft that has a proximal actuating mechanism and a distalstapling mechanism mounted to the elongated shaft. Various circularstapling devices are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,104,025; 5,205,459; 5,285,945; and 5,309,927 which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties. The distalstapling mechanism commonly consists of a fixed stapling cartridge thatcontains a plurality of staples configured in a concentric circulararray. A round cutting knife is concentrically mounted in the cartridgeinterior to the staples for axial travel therein. Extending axially fromthe center of the cartridge is a movable trocar shaft that is adapted tohave a staple anvil removably coupled thereto. The anvil is configuredto form the ends of the staples as they are driven into it. The distancebetween a distal face of the staple cartridge and the staple anvil iscommonly controlled by an adjustment mechanism that is mounted to theproximal end of the stapler shaft for controlling the axial movement ofthe trocar. Tissue that is clamped between the staple cartridge and thestaple anvil is simultaneously stapled and cut when the actuatingmechanism is activated by the surgeon.

Such circular stapling devices are commonly employed to removed diseasedportions of the colon. Introduction and management of the circularstapler anvil into a conventional laparoscopic approach for colorectalsurgery has been an ongoing limiter to employing laparoscopic proceduresand techniques to complete such procedure. Further challenges relate tothe extraction of the diseased portion of the colon from the patient.That is, current access ports and devices are not particularlywell-suited for introducing a circular stapler anvil into the patientand/or to remove the diseased specimen from the patient after it hasbeen severed from the healthy portion of the colon.

Thus, the need exists for an access port configured to facilitate theintroduction of a circular stapler anvil into the patient and/or theremoval of a specimen from the patient.

The foregoing discussion is intended only to illustrate some of theshortcomings present in the field of the invention at the time, andshould not be taken as a disavowal of claim scope.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In connection with general aspects of various embodiments of the presentinvention, there is provided a surgical access device that includes abase portion that has a body portion protruding therefrom. An accesspassage extends through the base and body portions. A support member iscoupled to the access device and is movable between a first objectsupporting configuration wherein an object may be supported by theaccess device member and a second position wherein the object may bereleased therefrom adjacent a distal end of the body portion.

In connection with yet another general aspect of one form of the presentinvention, there is provided a surgical access device that includes abase portion that has a first access passage extending therethrough. Theaccess device further includes a tool introducer that has a body portionthat is sized to be inserted through the first access passage in thebase portion and is configured to releasably support a surgical tooltherein. A specimen retrieval member is coupled to the access device andis selectively deployable from a storage position to a retrievalposition.

In accordance with still another general aspect of one form of thepresent invention, there is provided an access port for introducing ananvil of a circular stapler into a body cavity and for removing aspecimen therefrom. In various embodiments, the access port includes atool introducer that has a first access passage that extendstherethrough that is sized to releasably retain the anvil therein. Theaccess port further includes a port body that has a tubular portion thatis sized to extend into an opening into the body cavity. The access porthas a second access passage extending therethrough that is sized tomovably support the tool introducer tube therein for selective movementbetween a first installation position wherein the tubular portion of theport body, the tool introducer and the anvil may be inserted through theopening in the body cavity as a unit and a second position wherein theanvil is detachable from the tool introducer to be withdrawn out of saidtubular portion of said port body into the body cavity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention,and, together with the general description of the invention given above,and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve toexplain the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional surgical circularstapling instrument;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a surgical access portembodiment of one form of the present invention installed in a body wallof a patient and supporting a circular stapler anvil therein;

FIG. 3 is another view of the surgical access port of FIG. 2 with aconventional grasping instrument being used to deploy the anvil;

FIG. 4 is another view of the surgical access port of FIGS. 2-4 with aspecimen received within the flexible bag and being drawn out of theaccess port by a conventional grasping device;

FIG. 5 is a side view of another surgical access port embodiment of oneform of the present invention installed in a body wall of a patient andsupporting an anvil therein;

FIG. 6 is another side view of the surgical access port of FIG. 5 withthe anvil being unlatched from the distal end of the support tube topermit other tools such as an endoscope to extend therethrough;

FIG. 7 is another side view of the surgical access port of FIGS. 5 and 6with the anvil detached therefrom and a specimen contained within theflexible specimen bag;

FIG. 8 is a side view of another surgical access port embodiment ofanother form of the invention with the anvil stem being used to puncturethrough a portion of the patient's body wall to permit the access portto be introduced therein;

FIG. 9 is another side view of the access port of FIG. 8 with the anvilbeing deployed therefrom within the patient's body cavity;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the access port of FIGS. 8 and 9 with aconventional grasping instrument being used to draw a specimen into theflexible bag; and

FIG. 11 is another side view of the access port of FIGS. 8-10 after thespecimen has been retrieved into the flexible bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The assignee of the present application also owns the followingapplications which were contemporaneously filed herewith and which areeach herein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

-   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed ______, entitled    “Multiple Part Anvil Assemblies For Circular Surgical Stapling    Devices”, Attorney Docket No. END6926USNP2/110014;-   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed ______, entitled    “Modular Surgical Tool Systems”, Attorney Docket No.    END6921USNP/110019;-   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed ______, entitled    “Specimen Retraction Devices and Methods”, Attorney Docket No.    END6930USNP/110012;-   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed ______, entitled    “Modular Occlusion and Tissue Acquisition Mechanisms For Circular    Stapling Devices”, Attorney Docket No. END6932USNP/110010;-   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed ______, entitled    “Tissue Manipulation Devices”, Attorney Docket No.    END6924USNP/110018;-   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed ______, entitled    “Collapsible Anvil Plate Assemblies For Circular Surgical Stapling    Devices”, Attorney Docket No. END6926USNP/110016;-   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed entitled “Circular    Stapling Devices With Tissue-Puncturing Anvil Features”, Attorney    Docket No. END6926USNP3/110013;-   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed ______, entitled    “Anvil Assemblies With Collapsible Frames For Circular Staplers”,    Attorney Docket No. END6926USNP1/110015;-   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed ______, entitled    “Rectal Manipulation Devices”, Attorney Docket No.    END6931USNP/110011; and-   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed ______, entitled    “Surgical Bowel Retractor Devices”, Attorney Docket No.    END6922USNP/110009.

Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide anoverall understanding of the principles of the structure, function,manufacture, and use of the devices and methods disclosed herein. One ormore examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that thedevices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments and thatthe scope of the various embodiments of the present invention is definedsolely by the claims. The features illustrated or described inconnection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with thefeatures of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations areintended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “someembodiments,” “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment”, or the like, meansthat a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described inconnection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment.Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “in someembodiments,” “in one embodiment”, or “in an embodiment”, or the like,in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referringto the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features,structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner inone or more embodiments. Thus, the particular features, structures, orcharacteristics illustrated or described in connection with oneembodiment may be combined, in whole or in part, with the featuresstructures, or characteristics of one or more other embodiments withoutlimitation. Such modifications and variations are intended to beincluded within the scope of the present invention.

The terms “proximal” and “distal” are used herein with reference to aclinician manipulating the handle portion of the surgical instrument.The term “proximal” referring to the portion closest to the clinicianand the term “distal” referring to the portion located away from theclinician. It will be further appreciated that, for convenience andclarity, spatial terms such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “up”, and“down” may be used herein with respect to the drawings. However,surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, andthese terms are not intended to be limiting and/or absolute.

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional circular stapling instrument 10 thathas an anvil 30 that may be inserted into the patient's body cavity withvarious surgical access embodiments of the present invention. Theconstruction and operation of circular surgical stapling instruments aregenerally known in the art. Thus, those conventional components andfeatures of circular staplers will not be discussed in detail hereinbeyond what may be necessary to understand the construction andoperation of the various embodiments of the present invention.

As the present Detailed Description proceeds, those of ordinary skill inthe art will understand that the various embodiments of the presentinvention may be effectively employed with a variety of differentcircular stapler anvil configurations as well as with other forms ofsurgical instruments without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention. For example, various embodiments of the presentinvention may be employed with those circular staplers disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 7,506,791, entitled “Surgical Stapling Instrument WithMechanical Mechanism For Limiting Maximum Tissue Compression”, thedisclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.Accordingly, the scope of protection afforded to the various embodimentsof the present invention should not otherwise be limited to use with theexemplary circular stapler depicted herein.

By way of brief background, the circular stapling instrument 10 depictedin FIG. 1 includes a stapling head 20, an anvil 30, an adjustment knobassembly 40, and handle assembly 60. The stapling head 20 is coupled tothe handle assembly 60 by an arcuate shaft assembly 70. A trigger 80 ispivotally supported by the handle assembly 60 and is used to operate thestapler 10 when a safety mechanism 82 is released. As will be discussedin further detail below, when the trigger 80 is activated, a firingsystem (not shown in FIG. 1) operates within the shaft assembly 70 tocause the staples to be expelled from the stapling head 20 into formingcontact with the anvil 30. Simultaneously, a knife operably supportedwithin the stapling head 20 acts to cut tissue held within thecircumference of the stapled tissue. The stapler 10 is then pulledthrough the tissue leaving stapled tissue in its place.

FIGS. 2-4 illustrate one form of a surgical access device 110 that hasbeen inserted through an opening 104 in a body wall portion 102 (e.g.,the abdominal wall) of a patient 100 to form a passageway into thepatient's body cavity 101 for insertion of surgical instrumentstherethrough and retrieval of specimens therefrom. In at least one form,the surgical access device 110 includes a base portion 120 that maygenerally comprise a substantially round flanged portion 122 that has afirst tool access passage 124 extending therethrough. In thoseapplications wherein the body cavity 101 is to be insufflated with gas,the base portion 120 may be provided with a conventional pierceable sealarrangement (not shown) designed to seal off the first tool accesspassage 124 while permitting selective access to the first tool accesspassage 124 therethrough.

Various embodiments of the surgical access device 110 further include abody portion 130 that protrudes from the base portion 120 and defines asecond tool access passage 132 therethrough. In at least one embodiment,the base portion 120 and the body portion 130 may be integrally formedtogether from, for example, polycarbonate, nylon, raylon or an over moldof two of the materials. In other embodiments, the body portion 130 andthe base portion 120 may be fabricated separately and attached togetherby an appropriate fastener arrangement. In various embodiments, the bodyportion 130 may comprise a substantially rigid hollow conduit or tubethat is sized to permit a surgical tool to pass therethrough. As can beseen in FIG. 2, for example, the first and second tool access passages124, 132 are sized to permit an anvil stern 34 of an anvil 30 to extendtherethrough.

Also in various embodiments, the surgical access device 110 furtherincludes a support member 140 that is coupled to the surgical accessdevice 110. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2-4, the support member140 comprises a flexible bag 142 that may be fabricated from, forexample, silicone, polyisprene, polycarbonate, nylon, raylon, etc. Ascan be seen in FIGS. 2-4, in one form, the flexible bag 142 extendsaround the body portion 130 so that it is completely received therein.In various embodiments, the flexible bag 142 has a distal end 144 thathas a cinchable distal opening 146 therethrough. In at least one form,the cinchable distal opening 146 includes a drawstring 150 that issupported in the flexible bag 142 around the distal opening 146. Thedrawstring 150 has a distal end 152 that extends out through the accessdevice 110 to be accessible by the surgeon outside of the patient's bodycavity 101. Thus, by applying tension to the drawstring 150, thecinchable opening 146 may be drawn closed.

Use of the surgical access device 110 will now be explained withreference to FIGS. 2-4. To install the surgical access device 110, thesurgeon cuts or otherwise forms a hole or passage 104 through the bodywall 102 into the body cavity 101 of the patient. Once the hole 104 hasbeen formed, the surgeon inserts the body portion 130 through the hole104. In at least one form, the anvil 30 of the circular stapler 10 maybe pre-loaded in the access device 110 as shown in FIG. 2. Morespecifically, the anvil stem 34 may extend into the second accesspassage 132 and the anvil head 32 may be held in abutting relationshipto the distal end 134 of the body portion 130 by the flexible bag 142.Once the access device 110 has been installed through the hole 104 inthe body wall 102, the surgeon may then open the cinchable opening 146by using, for example, a conventional grasping tool 160 that has beeninserted through another opening or trocar passage, etc. (not shown)that extends into the body cavity 101. The construction and operation ofsuch conventional grasping tools are known in the art and thus will notbe discussed herein.

The cinchable opening 146 is opened to a position wherein the anvil 30may be removed from the flexible bag 142 as shown in FIG. 3. The anvil20 may then be employed in connection with the circular staplinginstrument 10 in a known manner. In those surgical operations wherein aspecimen 170 must be removed from the body cavity 101, the surgeon mayinsert the specimen 170 through the cinchable opening 146 into theflexible bag 142 and then cinch the opening 146 closed by pulling on thedrawstring 150. See FIG. 4. The surgeon may then insert a conventionalgrasping tool 160 or other surgical instrument through the first andsecond access passages 124, 132 in the access device 110 to retrieve thespecimen therefrom.

FIGS. 5-7 illustrate one form of a surgical access device 210 that hasbeen inserted through an opening 104 in a body wall portion 102 (e.g.,the abdominal wall) of a patient 100. In at least one form, the surgicalaccess device 210 includes a base portion 220 that may generallycomprise a substantially round flanged portion 222 that has a first toolaccess passage 224 extending therethrough. In those applications whereinthe body cavity 101 is to be insufflated with gas, the base portion 220may be provided with a conventional pierceable seal arrangement (notshown) designed to seal off the first tool access passage 224 whilepermitting selective access to the first tool access passage 224therethrough.

In various embodiments, a body portion 230 is attached to the baseportion 220 and defines a second tool access passage 232 therethrough.In at least one embodiment, the body portion 230 may comprise a flexiblebag 234 that may be fabricated from, for example, silicone,polyisoprene, polycarbonate, nylon, raylon, etc. In various embodiments,the flexible bag 234 has a distal end 236 that has a cinchable distalopening 238 therein. In at least one form, the cinchable distal opening238 includes a drawstring 250 that is supported in the flexible bag 234around the distal opening 238. The drawstring 250 has a distal end 252that extends out through the access device 210 to be accessible by thesurgeon outside of the patient's body cavity 101. Thus, by applyingtension to the drawstring 250, the cinchable opening 238 may be drawnclosed.

As can also be seen in FIGS. 5-7, the surgical access device 210 furtherincludes a releasable strap assembly 260 that is attached to theflexible bag 234 adjacent the distal end 236. In various forms, thereleasable strap assembly 260 has an anvil support portion 262 that hasa strap opening or hole 264 that is sized to receive an anvil stem 34therethrough as shown. An anvil bag 266 is attached to the anvil supportportion 262 to enclose the anvil stem 34 therein. The anvil supportportion 262 is configured to be releasably engaged with a retentionflange portion 268 of the releasable strap assembly 260. The strapassembly 260 is intended to provide the surgeon with a “graspinglocation” to “open” the lower part of the port after insertion. Thestrap assembly 260 can also function as a holster location for the anviluntil the anvil is needed in the procedure.

Use of the surgical access device 210 will now be explained withreference to FIGS. 5-7. To install the surgical access device 210, thesurgeon cuts or otherwise forms a hole 104 through the body wall 102 ofthe patient. Once the hole 104 has been formed, the surgeon inserts thebody portion 230 through the hole 104. In at least one form, the anvil30 of the circular stapler 10 may be pre-mounted in the access device asshown in FIG. 5. More specifically, the anvil stem 34 may extend throughthe strap opening 264 into the anvil bag 260. FIG. 5 illustrates theaccess device 210 installed in a patient. If during the surgicalprocedure, it becomes necessary or desirable to insert a tool or otherinstrument through the access device 210, the surgeon may unlatch theanvil support portion 262 from the retention flange portion 268 topermit the anvil 20 to be moved out of the way. A surgical tool 270,such as, for example, an endoscope may be passed through the accessdevice 210 into the patient. When in the unlatched position, the anvil20 may be removed from the releasable support strap assembly 260 bymeans of a conventional grasping device. In those surgical operationswherein a specimen 170 must be removed, the surgeon may insert thespecimen 170 through the cinchable opening 238 in the flexible bag 234and then cinch the opening 238 closed by pulling on the distal endportion 252 of the drawstring 150. See FIG. 7. The surgeon may theninsert a conventional grasper or other surgical instrument through thefirst and second openings in the access device to retrieve the specimentherefrom.

FIGS. 8-11 illustrate one form of a surgical access device 310 that hasbeen inserted through a hole 104 formed through a body wall 102 (e.g.,the abdominal wall) of a patient 100. In at least one form, the surgicalaccess device 310 includes a base portion 320 that may generallycomprise a substantially round flanged portion 322 that has a firstpassage 324 extending therethrough. In addition, a port body 330 isattached to the base portion 320 and defines a second passage 332therethrough. In at least one embodiment, the base portion 320 and theport body 330 may be integrally formed together from, for example,polycarbonate, Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), nylon, raylon,etc. In other embodiments, the port body 330 and the base portion 320may be fabricated separately and attached together employing anappropriate fastener arrangement. In various embodiments, the port body330 may comprise a substantially rigid hollow conduit or tube. As canalso be seen in FIG. 8, the port body 330 has a distal end 334. In atleast one form, the distal end 334 is formed from a plurality offlexible arms 336 that centrally converge toward each other to define areduced access passage 338. As will be discussed in further detailbelow, the reduced access passage 338 is sized to receive the anvil stem34 therethrough.

Also in various embodiments, the surgical access device 310 furtherincludes a tool introducer 340 that has a flanged end 342 and acylindrical body portion 344. The cylindrical body portion 344 is sizedto be slidably received within the second passage 332 in the port body330. The cylindrical body portion 344 has a tool access passage 346extending therethrough that is sized to receive an anvil 30 therein. Invarious embodiments, the tool introducer 340 is configured with aretention structure 350 for releasably retaining the anvil 30 in theorientation depicted in FIG. 8. As can be seen in FIG. 9, in at leastone embodiment, the retention structure 350 comprises an axial slotsegment 352 that is sized to releasably engage a locking nub orprotrusion 354 formed on the anvil head 32. Thus, to removably installthe anvil 30 into the tool introducer 340, the user aligns theprotrusion 354 with the axial slot segment 352 and then inserts theanvil 30 into the distal end of the tool introducer 340 such that theprotrusion 354 enters the axial slot segment 352. Once the protrusion354 has been seated into the axial slot segment 352, the surgeon maythen twist the anvil 30 relative to the tool introducer 340 to cause theprotrusion 354 to enter a radial slot segment 358. See FIG. 9. When theanvil 30 has been releasably retained within the tool introducer 340,the anvil stem 30 protrudes away from the distal end of the toolintroducer as shown in FIG. 8.

Also in various embodiments, the surgical access device 310 furtherincludes a support member 360 that is coupled to the surgical accessdevice 310. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 8-11, the support member360 comprises a flexible bag 362 that may be fabricated from, forexample, silicone, polyisoprene, etc. In various embodiments, theflexible bag 362 has a proximal end 364 that includes an elastic collar365 that defines a proximal opening 367 may be removably mounted overthe outer rim 325 of the flanged portion 322 of the base portion 320.Such arrangement permits the flexible bag 362 to be discarded with thespecimen therein. In addition, as can be seen in FIG. 11, when thecollar 365 is removed from the outer rim 325, the collar 365 assumes asmaller configuration to contract the proximal opening 367. When in anundeployed storage position, the flexible bag 362 can be stored withinthe flanged portion 322 of the base 320 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Invarious embodiments, the flexible bag 362 has a distal end 364 that hasa cinchable distal opening 366 therethrough. In at least one form, thecinchable distal opening 366 includes a drawstring 370 that is supportedin the flexible bag 362 around the distal opening 366. The drawstring370 has a distal end 372 that extends out through the access device 310to be accessible by the surgeon outside of the patient's body cavity.Thus, by applying tension to the drawstring 370, the cinchable opening366 may be drawn closed.

Referring now to FIG. 8, to install the access port 310 in the patient,the tool introducer 340 is slidably inserted into the port body 330 suchthat the end of the anvil stem 34 protrudes outward through thesubstantially frusto-conically shaped distal end 334 in the port body330. In those embodiments wherein the distal end 35 of the anvil stem 34is sharpened, the anvil stem 34 may be forced through the body wall 102of the patient 100. Continued pushing of the access port 310 will causethe frusto-conical shaped distal end 334 to enter into the body cavity101 through the opening 104. Further pushing on the port body 330 willcause the port body 330 to enter the body cavity 101 through the opening104 until the flanged base portion 320 contacts the wall portion 102. Invarious embodiments, the port body 330 may be provided with a pluralityof tissue-gripping ribs 331 or other formations to retain the accessport 310 within the body wall portion 102.

Once the port body 330 has been installed within the body wall 102, thetool introducer 340 is moved axially inward within the port body 330thereby causing the flexible arms 336 to splay open. See FIG. 9.Thereafter, the surgeon may detach the anvil 30 from the tool introducer340 by grasping the anvil stem 34 and rotating the anvil 30 within thetool introducer 340 to disengage the locking protrusion 354 from theslot segments 352 and 358. Once the anvil 30 has been deployed out ofthe tool introducer 340, the anvil 30 may be employed in connection withan appropriate circular stapler to perform a surgical procedure. Theaccess device 310 may also form a passageway for permitting theinsertion of other surgical tools and instruments into the body cavity101.

When performing procedures wherein a specimen 380 must be removed fromthe patient, the surgeon may deploy the flexible specimen bag 362. Inparticular, as shown in FIG. 10, the specimen bag 360 is unrolled anddeployed down through the tool introducer 340 such that the distal end364 protrudes outward through the distal end of the tool introducer 340.A conventional grasping instrument 160 or other suitable tool may thenbe inserted through the proximal opening 364 into the flexible bag 362and out through the distal opening 366 in the flexible bag 362 to grabthe specimen 170 and draw it into the flexible bag 362 through thedistal opening 366. See FIG. 10. Once the specimen 170 has been drawninto the flexible bag 362, the surgeon may then cinch the opening 366closed by pulling the draw string 372. Thereafter, the collar portion365 may be detached from the flanged portion 322 of the base 320. Sucharrangement permits the specimen 170 to be removed and discarded whilebeing contained in the flexible bag 326.

The various embodiments of the present invention represent a vastimprovement over prior surgical access ports and in particular thoseaccess ports that are used in connection with operations whereincircular stapling devices are employed. While several embodiments of theinvention have been described, it should be apparent, however, thatvarious modifications, alterations and adaptations to those embodimentsmay occur to persons skilled in the art with the attainment of some orall of the advantages of the invention. For example, according tovarious embodiments, a single component may be replaced by multiplecomponents, and multiple components may be replaced by a singlecomponent, to perform a given function or functions. This application istherefore intended to cover all such modifications, alterations andadaptations without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosedinvention as defined by the appended claims.

Any patent, publication, or other disclosure material, in whole or inpart, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein isincorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated materialsdoes not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or otherdisclosure material set forth in this disclosure. As such, and to theextent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth hereinsupersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference.Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated byreference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions,statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only beincorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between thatincorporated material and the existing disclosure material.

The invention which is intended to be protected is not to be construedas limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. The embodiments aretherefore to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.Variations and changes may be made by others without departing from thespirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it is expressly intendedthat all such equivalents, variations and changes which fall within thespirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the claims beembraced thereby.

1. A surgical access device, comprising a base portion; a body portionprotruding from said base portion and defining an access passagetherethrough; and a support member coupled to said access device andmovable between a first object supporting configuration wherein anobject may be supported by said access device and a second positionwherein the object may be released therefrom adjacent a distal end ofsaid body portion.
 2. The surgical access device of claim 1 wherein saidsupport member comprises: a flexible bag defining a cinchable openingadjacent said distal end of said body portion; and a drawstringextending around said cinchable opening, said draw string having aproximal end extending through said access device to be accessibleoutside of said base portion.
 3. The surgical access device of claim 1wherein said body portion comprises a hollow conduit extending from saidbase portion and defining said access passage.
 4. The surgical accessdevice of claim 3 wherein said hollow conduit is substantially rigid. 5.The surgical access device of claim 4 wherein said hollow conduit isintegrally formed with said base portion.
 6. The surgical access deviceof claim 1 wherein said body portion comprises: a flexible bag defininga cinchable opening through said distal end thereof; and a drawstringextending around said cinchable opening, said drawstring having aproximal end extending through said access device to be accessibleoutside of said base portion.
 7. The surgical access device of claim 6wherein said support member comprises a releasable strap assemblycoupled to said flexible bag adjacent said distal end thereof.
 8. Thesurgical access device of claim 7 wherein the object comprises an anvilfor a surgical stapling instrument having an anvil head and anvil stemand wherein said releasable support strap has a hole therethrough sizedto receive the anvil stem therethrough.
 9. The surgical access device ofclaim 8 further comprising an anvil bag attached to said releasablesupport strap for housing at least a portion of the anvil therein.
 10. Asurgical access device, comprising a base portion defining a firstaccess passage therethrough; a tool introducer having a body portionconfigured to releasably support a surgical tool therein, said bodyportion sized to be inserted through said first access passage in saidbase portion; and a specimen retrieval member coupled to said accessdevice and being selectively deployable from a storage position to aretrieval position.
 11. The surgical access device of claim 10 whereinsaid specimen retrieval member comprises: a flexible bag defining acinchable opening; and a drawstring extending around said cinchableopening, said draw string having a proximal end extending through saidaccess device to be accessible outside of said base portion.
 12. Thesurgical access device of claim 11 wherein said flexible bag has a firstopen end coupled to said base portion and wherein a remaining portion ofsaid flexible bag having said cinchable opening therein extends throughsaid tool introducer.
 13. The surgical access device of claim 10 whereinsaid base portion comprises: a flanged end; and a hollow tubular bodyportion protruding from said flanged end and having a substantiallyfrusto-conical shaped distal end.
 14. The surgical access device ofclaim 13 wherein said frusto-conical shaped distal end of said hollowtubular body is formed from a plurality of flexible arms that centrallyconverge toward each other to define a reduced portion of said accesspassage therebetween.
 15. The surgical access device of claim 10 whereinsaid tool introducer comprises a retention structure configured toreleasably engage a portion of the surgical tool.
 16. The surgicalaccess device of claim 10 wherein said base portion comprises a flangedend portion defining a cavity therein for retaining said specimenretrieval member in said storage position.
 17. The surgical accessdevice of claim 13 further including at least one tissue engagementprotrusion on an exterior portion of said hollow tubular body portion.18. An access port for introducing an anvil of a circular stapler into abody cavity and for removing a specimen therefrom, said access portcomprising: a tool introducer having a first access passage extendingtherethrough that is sized to releasably retain the anvil therein; and aport body having a tubular portion thereof sized to extend into anopening into the body cavity and defining a second access passagetherethrough sized to movably support said tool introducer tube thereinfor selective movement between a first installation position whereinsaid tubular portion of said port body, said tool introducer and saidanvil may be inserted through the opening in the body cavity as a unitand a second position wherein the anvil is detachable from the toolintroducer to be withdrawn out of said tubular portion of said port bodyinto the body cavity.
 19. The access port of claim 18 further comprisinga flexible specimen bag coupled to said access port and beingselectively deployable from a storage position wherein said toolintroducer may slide axially within said second access passage thereinand a deployed position wherein a distal end portion may pass throughsaid first access passage in said tool introducer into the body cavity.20. The access port of claim 19 wherein said distal end of said flexiblespecimen bag has a selectively cinchable distal opening therethrough.